The 12-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 had begun on June 12. A dozen days and 21 matches in, four teams have been eliminated from the race to the semi-finals, while no team has sealed their place for the knockouts yet.
Each team has played at least three games of its five group stage fixtures.
From Group A, Scotland and Ireland have been pushed out of the semi-final contention; Scotland have one win in four games, and Ireland have lost all of their four clashes.
Pakistan, with four out of four losses, and the Netherlands, with three defeats in as many matches, are the two Group-A teams eliminated from the semi-final competition.
In this article, we will discuss India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Having claimed the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup last year, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team showed two dominating displays to lay a strong claim to the T20 crown in this competition.
India beat rivals Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston to kick off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in style and followed it up with an even bigger victory, by 95 runs, over Bangladesh in Leeds.
However, the Women in Blue went down to South Africa in Manchester in their third group-stage fixture by six wickets in a game that extended to its last over, with the Protea women attaining the target of 159 runs with five balls to spare.
The India vs South Africa clash was being built up as a virtual knockout encounter. That is because the Sophie Molineux-led Australia is the title favorite once again and has racked up four wins in four games, including a victory over South Africa, with a game against India left.
ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026: Group A points table situation
India’s loss to South Africa have pushed them to the brink as they are yet to face the indomitable Australia. Australia lead Group A with four dominating wins in four matches, and their only group game left is against India.
Both India and South Africa have won two games and lost one. However, while India’s remaining matches are against Bangladesh and Australia, South Africa face much weaker opponents in the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
Australia have all but qualified for the semi-finals with 8 points, a game to go against India, and a terrific net run rate.
Bangladesh also have two wins in three games, but since their next two fixtures are against much stronger oppositions in India and South Africa, Bangladesh are unlikely to qualify for the semi-finals.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualification scenario: How Can India Women Qualify For Semi-Finals?
India and South Africa both have 4 points each from 3 games, with two matches in hand. To qualify for the semi-finals, India women must first look to win both their remaining group matches against Bangladesh and Australia. In that case, India will qualify if South Africa lose at least one of their two matches.
Further, if India and South Africa both register victories in their remaining two games, then both will be tied with Australia with 8 points. In this scenario, net run rate will be the deciding factor, with Australia’s NRR far superior to both those teams.
If India beat Bangladesh but lose to Australia, and if South Africa lose one of their two matches, then India will qualify if they have a better net run rate than South Africa.
And if India defeat Bangladesh but suffer a loss against Australia and South Africa win their two games, then South Africa will qualify for the semi-finals, knocking India out.
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